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Double Bass Velvet strings megathread part III

#263
Garbo G - high tension?

Hello...just got a set of Garbo regulars and I like them so far - they've taken a few days to settle in but they sound sweet enough. Only issue is that the G feels like a much higher tension than the other strings. Has anyone else noticed this - I saw that someone upthread had a bit of trouble identifying which was the D and which was the G - they do seem to be very similar gauges. Will probably go back to a plain gut for the G anyhow, but would like to know if it's just me that's having this issue!

thanks, Peter
 
#264
Hi DoubleMIDI,

are the classico similar in tension to Regular Compas 180 or even SUIT Compas 180?

Thanks,

TonyD


DoubleMIDI said:
Bassico in Munich, Germany, annouced that the Velvet Classico strings are now avalilable.

I got a test set a few months ago and they are similar to the Compas 180, but sound better with the bow and a bit softer plucked. They have loop ends now.

I'm totally happy with the G, the D is not bad either, may getting better over time.

My A was not wound well and cut into my fingerboard, so I removed the set after some weeks. The E was broken when I put it on the 2nd time, probably because the metal part was wound onto the peg. Velvet said winding onto the peg is possible with these strings, but I will avoid this on my replacment string.
It is still possible to open the loop (cut on the right side!) and use the Compas 180 mounting method to adjust the position of the string on the bass. (Looping twice around the tailpiece might be an option too if you don't want to open the loop.)
I am still waiting for the replacements which might take some more time than usual.

I think these strings are closer to a mixed arco/pizz string than the Compas 180. Sometimes missing the pizz bite from the Compas 180, but much nicer arco.

I'm pretty sure there will be a set on BASS2012 in Copenhagen next month.
Click to expand...
 
#265
The Classico have the same tension as the (regular) Compas 180, so higher than the SUIT.
Arco is much nicer with them, but they will miss a bit of the Compas 180 bite on pizz.

I haven't used them since I got my replacements. I like the Innovation 140B set on my bass, but maybe I will give the Classico and COmpas 180 a try again. For pizz only I like the Compas 180 a bit more, but for some bowing also I would prefer the Classico. The Innovation 140B has less tension and so a bit less power, but sounds very nice, maybe a bit dark.
 
#267
This thread's been dormant for a while.

I've been feeling guilty about having maligned Velvet Blues' bowability in a post a couple of years ago. The actual problem, as you might've guessed, was that I didn't know how to bow.

Since that time I've been practicing a lot and have used both Compas 180's and Animas. Compas are much easier to bow, IMHO. During the time I used them I made better progress because I could finally get a decent sound to work with and didn't get as frustrated.

But I switched back to Animas because, while the Compas sound fine played pizzicato, they weren't as much of a joy to play on jazz gigs as the Animas are. I love the feel of the fatter strings and love the lower tension.

Animas are harder for me to bow than Compas, particularly up in thumb position. But since the gigs I play are jazz gigs I go with them, and I think that the challenge they present might make me a better arco player in the long run. But if I played classical music in front of other people I might switch back to Compas.
 
#268
Hey folks,

I've just received a package of Garbo gut G set and while Im testing the gut G on other bass I've decided to make a quick test. I put Cordes Lamberts D as a G string and Garbo D in place of regular D. so I'm looking forvard to your comments hope you find the technique and record quality tolerable



Thanks
 
#270
korotkov said:
Hey folks,

I've just received a package of Garbo gut G set and while Im testing the gut G on other bass I've decided to make a quick test. I put Cordes Lamberts D as a G string and Garbo D in place of regular D. so I'm looking forvard to your comments hope you find the technique and record quality tolerable



Thanks
Click to expand...


korotkov: Hard to tell with internet sound but my overall impression (using bookshelf speakers with an amp to run the computer sound through) is that you are getting more of the string than the bass. The strings don't seem "strong" enough to move the bass top in order to get a full sound.
However, the main thing is....do YOU like what you hear?
 
#272
korotkov said:
Hey brother,

That's very much the impression I've got from both sets. Thanks for the comment and I'm hoping youve got The answer on how to get this bass to sound and project better
Thanks,
Sasha
Click to expand...

Sasha:

In a nutshell....more tension. You may have to go to a Spiro Weich..... Evah Weich or a Dominant. Maybe an Innovation H.
And so the great string journey begins.:D
 
#273
Maybe I just have to get another bass. In the exception of innovation strings I tried allthe above mentioned ones and I can't say the projection increased significantly w/EP nor spiros. Besides, I really love the tone of Garbos and I kinda dig Lamberts gut twin also despite their sounding quite dead pizz
 
#274
Hey guys,
I've been using blues for the past 2-3 years and have loved them but recently the wrapping has started to become undone on the G string. Is this normal? How long ought these strings last? I'm not sure I can afford another set at the moment and I'm afraid they're about to give up on me!
 
#276
korotkov said:
Maybe I just have to get another bass. In the exception of innovation strings I tried allthe above mentioned ones and I can't say the projection increased significantly w/EP nor spiros. Besides, I really love the tone of Garbos and I kinda dig Lamberts gut twin also despite their sounding quite dead pizz
Click to expand...

korotkov: There are some who think a different set of strings requires movement of the sound post.
I think that in order to get the maximum sound from your bass, there has to be a balance between string tension, soundpost location and the way you play it.
But if it were me, I would find a luthier to do a set up. Maybe a lighter/heavier tailpiece with aircraft cable. Also a good quality bridge. However, even though all these conditions may be optimum...you still may not like what you hear.
That's when you should consider whether another bass is the answer.
 
#277
I have been using a set of Velvet Garbo strings for the last 4 months and I am pretty happy with them. It is the first time in 20 years or so that I have used anything other than gut strings. I have a large, light 7/8 flatback from about 1905, so the deep bass resonance of the instrument seems to compliment the strings quite well.
 
#279
I've had garbos on my solid bass for a month now. I really like them and they are sounding better with time. I like the loose feel under the fingers which allows a lot of expression and the deep growl of the E and A. Feels quite old school. I'd like to try some animas at some point too.
 
#280
Martinc,

Yes I had the sound post adjusted before switching to gutlike Lamberts. I also raised the action to 10-12mm g to E and I'm planningon increasing it to 11-14 mm cause I think that it adds a lot to the clarity and projection. The sound post was moved closer to the bridge foot great lot. This helped it open up a bit but still the sound is far from what I would be desiring for unamplified gigs
 

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